Dem Bones

Dem Bones - Dry Bones - Dem Dry Bones - is a popular spiritual song - the melody composed by African - American author and songwriter James Weldone Johnson. Over the years it has been recorded by numerous artists.  It was inspired by Holy Scripture from Ezekiel 37:1-14 in which the Lord proclaims that he will reassemble and bring life back into the valley of dry bones. Bones play an important part in Christian history - bone of my bone - flesh of my flesh - it connects us to our ancestors - to those Christians who lived before us - to saint and sinner alike. It is a physical connection which reminds us of the spiritual connection.  Today I had the honor to be present at the viewing of a tibia bone from Saint Mary Magdalene. As far as anyone knows it is the genuine bone - a bone from a person who was one of Jesus' closest friends. Watching the hundreds of people who attended Holy Mass and who came during the day to see and venerate this very special relic was inspiring. 

That is exactly what Jesus tried to do while He was alive - inspire people - inspire them to faith - inspire them to conversion - inspire them to action. It is awesome - that Saint Mary Magdalene -  one of His closest disciples does that - today - in our lifetime - inspires us - to live out our own lives of discipleship - inspiring others.

Deacon Dale 

Scrutinies

A scrutiny is a searching examination or investigation - an inquiry - surveillance - guarded watching.  When one undergoes a scrutiny - they may feel like they have been placed under a microscope - in some ways they have.   The person is queried - probed - asked about their past - what their vision for the future holds - what actions have been taken to minimize or correct faults and short comings.  In the Catholic Church - during the 3rd - 4th and 5th weeks of Lent - those seeking baptism - reception into the Church - undergo a series of scrutinies - to help prepare them for full reception into the Catholic Church - at the Easter Vigil. Days of reflection - days of prayer - days of preparation - focus on Holy Saturday night - when the Holiest of all Catholic Masses is celebrated.  That night - that one Holy Mass - is there - for the Elect - the Candidates - to be baptized - anointed with Sacred Chrism - receive Holy Eucharist - for the first time.  In the Sunday rituals of the Scrutinies - they receive blessings and prayers for their continued conversion - continued rejection of sin - continued acceptance of Jesus as their personal savior. The Church joins them in a special way - at this time - praying with them - for them - for the conversion of the Elect and Candidates - for their personal conversion.  By the time Holy Saturday - the Vigil Mass - Easter Sunday finally arrives - all should be in a state of grace - awaiting the Easter Celebration.

As Jesus was taken by the soldiers and cross examined by Pilate - by others - by the guards - by the priests of the Temple - so do we also share in that time of intense scrutiny.  Each year we are invited - given the opportunity - to share with Jesus His Passion. As Lent continues - Jesus stands - waiting - hands outstretched - offering us Salvation.

Deacon Dale 

Relic Travels to Yorkville

Relics are body parts of saints or those venerated as potential saints or very holy people.  The word relic come from the Latin reliquiae meaning "remains".  In Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Shamanism and other religions - relics are objects - perhaps a bone chip - from the body of the saint - which is placed on display and reverenced by the faithful.  This Monday - March 11, 2013 - at St. Patrick Parish - in Yorkville, Illinois - a first class relic of Saint Mary Magdalene is being brought to the parish.  The entrance procession will begin at 7:45 am with Holy Mass to immediately follow.  Other activities are scheduled during the day - allowing the faithful time to come during the day to see - pray - reverence - the relic.  Unlike most relics which are very small - this particular relic is quite big - easily seen.

God has allowed for these relics to be obtainable - for those of us - who like doubting Thomas - need visible evidence of His presence in the world.  By viewing these bones and chips of the holy men and women who have lived before us - we are drawn closer to each other - closer to God.  If you are in the Yorkville area - feel free to stop by the parish and spend a few minutes this Monday with one of God's special people.

Deacon Dale 

Friday's Child

Friday's Child does not refer to the Star Trek episode of the same name - rather it is a misrepresentation of a poem called Monday's Child.  It was written as a way of helping children learn the names of the days of the week.  Each day was given a character or quality - thus some may refer to the poem as Monday's Child, Tuesday's Child and so on.  It is interesting to note that Friday is described as "Friday's child is loving and giving".  We could only hope that all of us would be a Friday's child -willingly sharing what we have with others as well as our love.  Too many people close their ears - shut their eyes - turn their heads - to the needs of others. 

God knows what each of us needs - when we need it - where we need it.  He is attuned to us and the world around us.  He knows what we wish and hope for - our hearts desire - what we think we need and what we really need.  When you ask God for blessings - help - grace - always add to you prayer - according to Your Will.  God will give you exactly what you need - when you need it - in His time.

Deacon Dale 

Frustration

According to Wikipedia - in psychology - frustration - is a common emotional response to opposition. Related to anger and disappointment - it arises from the perceived resistance to the fulfillment of individual will. The greater the obstruction - and the greater the will - the more the frustration is likely to be.  Everyone has moments in their lives when they will be frustrated about something or someone.  We do not live in a perfect world - thus many opportunities for disappointments - irritating situations - unhappy moments. Unfortunately you cannot avoid these - they are as much a part of life as eating and drinking. Everyone is allowed a frustrating moment or two - those who constantly frustrate others - are another issue.  

When Jesus entered the temple and saw it filled with those bartering and selling - He became frustrated - irritated - angry - at their actions. He acted on His frustration - in short order - revealed His feeling about the situation.  Jesus teaches us that we are to be tolerant of others - forgiving - forgetting.  We are also reminded that we need to be thoughtful - to think through our actions - before we act - to avoid situations - that will irritate and frustrate others. Life will throw situations at us - irritating - frustrating - that require patience - understanding - acceptance. You do not have to be happy about these moments - just remember that on occasion - you may be the guilty one.

Deacon Dale 

Stations

When you mention "Stations" in the Catholic Church - everyone knows you are referring to the devotion known more formally as The Stations of the Cross. Every Friday evening during Lent at 7:00 pm we gather as priests - deacons - altar servers - the faithful - to pray the Stations of the Cross. It is a prayerful devotion that takes about 15 minutes but is very meaningful. In this devotion we walk - figuratively and literally - through the steps that Jesus took on His way to Calvary. It is a meditation - a reflection - on how He got to that point in His life - how we - the sinners - put Him there - what we did - what we did not do - to cause His death. It is sad - solemn - tearful - enlightening. We pause - if only for 15 minutes - to reflect on where we fit in - in God's plan - what we are called to do - how we may make things better - in our own life - in the lives of people around us.

Jesus walked everywhere He went - though desert - through villages - through cities - often alone - often with His disciples. In Lent - Jesus invites each of us - to walk the Stations - with Him.

Deacon Dale 

Sede Vacante

Sede Vacante - the vacant seat - nobody is at home - the Chair of Peter is empty. A moment in the lives of people around the world - that has never been experienced by any of us. This is a new experience for the peoples of the world - Catholic - non-Catholic - Orthodox - Jews - Muslims - Protestants - atheists - agnostics - everyone.  Some people - could care less - religion is not their thing - for the remainder - we watch - we ponder - we anticipate the activities to come. Ours is not to ask why - we need no answers - we have no right to question - we observe. The days to come - the results of discussions and voting - will produce a new pope.

Jesus may have appointed Peter as the head of the Christian church that would follow after He left - like any organization - managed by people - there are the ups and downs - the years of feasting and famine - happy and sad times - through it all - God will provide. Those of us who have faith - trust in the Holy Spirit - for a good and positive outcome. Until the white cloud of smoke - we wait and pray.

Deacon Dale 

Shrines of Italy

We are pleased to announce that we are now registering people to join us on a Shrines of Italy Spiritual Travel Experience November 4-14, 2013.  This spiritual journey promises to be very rewarding.  This 10 day journey through Italy begins in Rome traveling south towards Pompeii across Italy to the Adriatic Sea to Loretto and Assisi and returning to Rome. We have reserved 24 places for this trip and are being offered on a first come basis. There is an early registration discount of $250 which makes the cost only $3099* inclusive - please read the online brochure for all details - itinerary - trip specifics. I have been to Italy many times and it remains my favorite country to visit. The accommodations - food - people - are all first class. Holy Mass will be celebrated on the trip. 

Jesus calls each of us to evangelize - to spread His Gospel wherever we go. In our own towns and cities and in foreign places we are ambassadors for Christ. When we participate in spiritual travel experiences - we not only are inspired ourselves - we inspire those who lead us on these journeys. We share our faith with them - they share theirs with us - through it all we proclaim the love - the forgiveness - the presence of Christ - in the world.

Deacon Dale 

Procrastinate

A person who procrastinates is one who puts off - delays - postpones - waits - drags one's feet - prolongs - the task at hand. Often there are good reasons - data to be collected - alternatives to be considered - waiting on other people - needing to complete a previous step in the process. Then there are those who never complete any task in a timely manner. Other tasks are deemed as more important - easier to complete - more interesting. Those who constantly fail to complete all tasks - in a timely manner - are habitual procrastinators - bumps in the road - road blocks to progress. Everyone is guilty of procrastinating - once in awhile - that is acceptable. When it involves yourself - you are the only one who suffers - when it involves others - the suffering and inconvenience - snowballs. Those who are guilty of perpetually procrastinating need to be called to task - to be taught how to manage their time - to become considerate of others - involved in whatever process it might involve.  Acting in a timely manner - is the only considerate way to behave.

In Matthew 24:36 we are told that "nobody knows the day or the hour" - not the prophets - not the angels - not the Son - but only the Father. We are warned that the time is now - the Church warns us now - in Lent - that now is the time to repent - to believe in the Gospel - to prepare for that day and hour - whenever it may come. Our salvation is closer at hand than we realize - our last breath is only a short time away. If we wait too late - if we delay too long - if we refuse to focus on our eternal future - it may be too late. Jesus waits at the door - for the knock - for the request - for you.

Deacon Dale 

Weighting Game

Unlike the waiting game - which involves the aspect of time - the weighting game - focuses on the aspect of weight.  All too many people are caught up in the issues of weight - how much is too much - how much is too little - is it about appearance - does it involve health?  Too many people just ignore  the issue - possibly the very ones who should be the most concerned.  The arguments that surround medical weight charts and how realistic or unrealistic they are - are numerous.  Perception is reality - that can cause serious confusion.  I prefer perspective - viewing the issue - in perspective of what is real - what is correct. When a person is five pounds over weight - or under weight - they are simply over or under the "ideal" weight - which may or may not be - a realistic number. Unless you are an infant or toddler - five pounds is nothing - in reality.  Consider  this - the chart may have been assembled using data which does not realistically apply to  the general population - thus - not a true perspective of the weight issue.  At fifty pounds over or under weight - you can forget all the charts - because the reality is that fifty pounds - is a serious variance from any reality. 

One of the most serious aspects of the weighting game is - in reality - the weight i.e. the seriousness - of an issue. In this perception - weight has nothing to do with pounds and ounces - rather - the severity of the issue. Eternal damnation or salvation - is a very weighty issue. Once past the issue of a healthy body weight - it is far more important to consider your future - your spiritual future - where you will spend - eternity. Like coping with body weight - far too many - delay - ignore - the weighty issue of eternal existence - heaven - hell - the space between. As simple as it is - all too many choose to ignore this issue. For the committed Christian - for those who are faithful - to the Gospel - to Jesus - to God - there is no question - no issue. For the remainder - there is an answer - Jesus - the Lord - who solves all weight issues - that really matter.

Deacon Dale